Hair shaper

ABSTRACT

A hair shaping instrument, including a handle and a shaping board projecting from the handle having a concave surface on one side and a convex surface on the other side, the board being heated to shape hair.

United States Patent 11 1 1111 3,847,166 Carr [4 Nov. 12, 1974 HAIR SHAPER 1.593055 7/1926 Arnole 132/31 R 1 642 888 9/1927 P 132 31 R [76] Inventor: Ur'ah 8852 2,731.542 1/1956 oz rii els 214 217 Ave-,Ch1ag0,l11- 60619 2,808 838 10/1957 Stageberg... 132 32 R ug 2 Mercer [2]] App! 385159 Primary ExaminerG. E. McNeiH Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Hill, Gross, Simpson, Van 52 us. 01. 132/9, 132/31 R Samen, 1 m n,- Chiara & Sim son [51] Int. Cl A45d 1/00 [58] Field Of Search 132/11, 3 1, 33, 36,116, 57 ABSTRACT 132/36 AU, 32 R, 37 R; 219/258, 217, 242, I 4

38/103 A hair shaping lnstrumen t, mcludmg a handle and a shaping board projecting from the handle having a 5 References Cited concave surface on one side and a convex surface on UNITED STATES PATENTS the other side, the board being heated to shape hair.

8/1914 Carlson 132/37 R 10 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures PATENTEUNUV 12 1914 1 HAIR SHAPER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention I This invention relates to hair grooming apparatus and more particularly to hair shaping instrument.

2. Prior Art In the creation of the asthetically pleasing coiffures, it is often times desirable to present a smooth surface having a free flowing varying radius contour. This is particularly desirable at present because of the prevalence of Afro or Natural hairstyles, which emphasize the natural texture of kinky or wooly hair. Such styles may be unsightly unless the surface of the coiffure is smooth to present a continuing curved surface.

In order to present such a surface, it is necessary to shape the hair without the application of excessive pressure which would compress and mat the hair thereby destroying the effect sought to be achieved.

While it has been long known that the application of heated, smooth surface devices can be used to straighten the hair, as illustrated in the U.S. Pat. to Perry, No.1 ,642,888 and the U.S. Pat. to Morgan, No. 1,638,268, most prior art devices have been limited to the creation of a single curvature over relatively small areas and have generally involved the application of pressure to create a pasted down look. Such prior art devices are extremely limited and do not have the ability to produce the different and frequently opposing contours associated with modern hairstyles.

SUMMARY My invention, in a preferred embodiment, consists of a shaping board having a transverse curvature with an outer concave surface and an inner convex surface. The shaping board has a heating coil embedded therein and has-a handle projecting from one end of the board. Heat setting means are also provided. Preferably, the board is kept thin so that the longitudinal edges of the board may also be used in shaping of the hair.

In a modification of my invention, I provide a water vapor dispenser in the handle together with means for dispensing water, preferably in a fine spray to dampen the hair before shaping.

In another modified form of my invention, I provide sleeve devices which are capable of being attached to the shaping board and being heated thereby. The sleeve devices may be equipped with surface curvatures other than the curvatures of the board or with raised areas for empressing designs into the hair being shaped. I have also provided a shaping board which is attachable to another heated device, such as for example, presently commercially available heated combs or the like.

Other modifications of my invention allow it to be used as a heating pad or drying device.

It is yet another and more specific object of this invention to provide a heated hair shaping instrument having a heated shaping board with a handle projecting therefrom, with sleeve attachments for attachment to the shaping board, the attachments having different shapes, contours, and styling capabilities than the board, and the sleeves being heated by the shaping board.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide a hair shaping instrument including a heated shaping board for attachment to pre-existing heated devices.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Other objects, features and advantages of the invention willbe readily apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment thereof, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, although variations and modifications may be effected without departing from the spirit and scope of the novel concepts of the disclosure, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating the shaping instrument of my invention being applied to the hair of a person.

FIG. 2 is a side plan view, partially in section, of one embodiment of my invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective exploded view of another embodiment of the hair shaping instrument of my invention.

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of a portion of the embodiment of FIG. 3 equipped with a secondary sleeve.

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 illustrating yet another type of sleeve.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a heating pad modification of my invention.

FIG. 7 is a top plan view with underlying portions illustrated by broken lines of a hair shaping instrument according to this invention.

FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view taken along lines VIII- VIII of FIG. 7.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 illustrates the hair shaper 10 of my invention as being applied to the hair 11 of a human to shape it.

As perhaps best illustrated in its simplest embodiment in FIGS. 7 and 8, the hair shaping instrument 10 consists of a plate 12 with a handle 13 attached thereto. As shown in FIG. 8, the plate has a convex outer surface 14 on a top side or outer surface 15 thereof, and a concave outer surface 16 on a bottom or inner surface 17 thereof, the entirety of the plate being arcuately curved transverse of the major linear dimension or the length of the plate. The handle 13 projects from an end 19 of the plate lengthwise of the plate 11.

The plate is relatively thin and has a looped heating coil 20 embedded therein, the coil being controlled by a thermostat 21 located on the handle with an electric cord 22 extending from the end of the handle and adapted to be plugged into a suitable electric source outlet. It will be noted that the surfaces 14 and 16 are smooth and uninterrupted from side edge 25 to side edge 26, the side edges being defined by a radius curvature to provide relatively sharp edges.

The hair styling instrument 10 is used as follows:

The hair is first fluffed out and then made soft and pliable by lightly dampening with water or a suitable hair solution. Thereafter the hair may be combed into a general style as desired including, if required, a further fluffing. Generally the hair is fluffed to a larger size than the final intended coiffure. While the hair is still damp, the shaping instrument is applied, as illustrated in FIG. 1 to the outer surface of the hair. The thermostat 21 is set to the desired heat and the shaping board 11 is applied with very litter pressure. The shaping board is then capable of shaping the outer surface to a smooth contoured coiffure. Both the concave and convex surfaces are normally used in the creation of a single hairstyle. For example, the outer surface of the main portion of the body of hair as at 30 would normally be shaped with the concave board. However, at other areas, such as at the bottom of the back of the head as indicated at 31, a convex curvature is desired and the surface 14 will be used. Because the board 11 has smooth surfaces 14 and 16, the hair shaping instrument of my invention is capable of providing a continuous contoured coiffure surface consisting of a continuous free flowing curvature of differing radii and opposing contours. Where it is desired to provide a sharply defined-change in contour, the edges and 26 can be used to style and shape the'hair and are most practical in the creation of waves in straight hair.

A modified form of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 wherein the handle 13b is sized to provide a water storage compartment. A spray nozzle 40 projects from an end face 41 of the handle adjacent the shaping board 12b. An actuating button or the like 43 on the handle is effective to impart a water vapor spray for spraying the hair of the user. In this manner, the hair may be kept moist during the shaping operation. By using a fine nozzle 40 it will be assured that the water sprayed on the hair will not be of an amount sufficient to adversely effect the coiffure, but will be adequate to keep the hair properly damp as each section of the head is shaped. This addition is extremely convenient inasmuch as dry hair is very difficult to shape and style. It will be noted that the nozzle is illustrated as 160 surfaces with a central longitudinally extending opening 50. The opening 50 is sized to receive an independently heated device having a handle 52 attached thereto. For purpose of illustration, a heated comb 51 is illustrated. Devices of this nature are commercially available wherein the handle is equipped with a heat control switch 53 for heating the comb blade 51. By constructing the shaping board 12c out of a heat conductive material, as is preferred in all embodiments, insertion of the comb blade 51 into the properly sized opening 50 will create a hair shaping instrument according to this invention which has a dual purpose in that the utility of the comb is unimpaired'in that it may be removed from the hair shaping board 12c. Another feature is that the triangular shapeof the opening 50 4 and of the comb combine to prevent rotation of the board or plate 120.

FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate an accessory device for use with the hair shaping instrument of my invention. The device consists of a full 60 or partial 61 sleeve which is receivable on the hair shaping board 12, 12b, or 12c. The sleeve 60, 61 consists of an elongated piece of metal adapted to be slipped over the board and having an under surface 63 in contact with the surface of the as an individual sleeve having convex 14c and concave board so that the sleeve will be heated with the board. The sleeve, whether a full sleeve as illustrated at 60, or a C-shaped sleeve as illustrated in 61, may have an outer surface 64 which has a contour or shape different than that of the board 12, 12b, or 120 so that the modified hair shaping instrument with the sleeve can function to create differing contours than that of the board itself. In addition, the sleeve may have raised portions 65 thereon for impressing designs into the hair. For example, the sleeve may have a raised floral design for impressing a floral design into the hair if desired. Additionally, the design may be a simple peak as at 66 for impressing a straight groove into the hair in the manner of a part line. The use of the sleeve increases the flexibility of the coiffure creating characteristics of my hair shaping instrument, while maintaining the advantages of the simple concave-convex design.

FIG. 6 illustrates a modified sleeve 70 which is equipped with slots 71 adjacent opposite longitudinal edge 72 of the sleeve. The slots can receive, for example, straps 73 which allow the sleeve and the hair shaping board, which is inserted therein, to be affixed to the human body in the manner of a heating pad or the like. The sleeve in this instance could be equipped with a soft surface material. Of course, it can be understood that the slots 71 could be provided initially in the hair shaping board if desired ratherthan in a sleeve.

It can therefore be seen from the above that my invention provides a uniquehair styling instrument having a styling board with convex and concave surfaces, the board being equipped with means for heating the surfaces to a desired temperature and the board being attached to a handle which is unheated. Various modifications of the basic invention are suggested including the addition of water spray means as a part of the handleand means for separating the hair shaping board from a separate heated device such as a heated comb and handle. Also disclosed are attachments for use with the hair shaping board to increase its versatility while retaining its hair styling function.

Although the teachings of my invention have herein been discussed with reference to specific theories and embodiments, it is to be understood that these are by way of illustration only and that others may wish to utilize my invention in different designs or applications.

I claim as my invention:

the curvature of said surfaces said edges forming second hair contacting and shaping surfaces and being heated along with said convex and concave surfaces.

3. The instrument of claim 2 wherein a heating coil is embedded in a metal plate forming the hair shaping board and the handle is equipped with a device for regulating the heat imparted to the board by the heating coil.

4. The instrument of claim 3 wherein the handle is equipped with water dispensing spray means.

5. The instrument of claim 3 wherein the hair shaping board has a sleeve received at least partially therearound, the sleeve having an underside surface in contact with a surface of the board and an outer surface having a contour different than the contour of the surfaces of the board said outer surface comprising a hair contacting and shaping surface.

6. The instrument of claim 3 wherein said instrument is equipped with fastening means for attaching the same to a human body.

7. A hair shaping instrument comprising in combination: a hair shaping board having opposed convex and concave surfaces with longitudinal edges extending between the surfaces, the longitudinal edges formed as radius bends having a radius curvature less than the radius curvature of the convex and concave surfaces, a handle attached to said board means embedded in said board for heating same, means on said handle for regulating the heat of the board, and detachable sleeve means for receipt at least partially around said board, said sleeve means having an outside hair styling surface having a contour different than the contour of the concave and convex surfaces and being heated by contac with the concave and convex surfaces.

8. The instrument of claim 7 wherein the handle is quickly detachable from the board, the board having an opening therein for receipt of a heated device attached to said handle.

9. The instrument of claim 8 wherein the heated device attached to said handle comprises a heated comb.

10. A hair shaping instrument comprising a hair shaping board with a length and width and thickness, the length being the major dimension and the thickness being relatively thin, the board arcuately curved transversely having concave and convex opposed smooth 

1. A hair styling instrument comprising a hair shaping board, said board having opposed hair contacting and shaping convex and concave surfaces, means intermediate said surfaces for heating both of said surfaces, a handle for said board, said handle being unheated.
 2. The instrument of claim 1 wherein the hair shaping board has the concave and convex surfaces formed as top and bottom surfaces respectively of a substantially rectangular shaped member, longitudinal edges on said member, said edges having a radius curvature from the top surface to the bottom surface substantially less than the curvature of said surfaces said edges forming second hair contacting and shaping surfaces and being heated along with said convex and concave surfaces.
 3. The instrument of claim 2 wherein a heating coil is embedded in a metal plate forming the hair shaping board and the handle is equipped with a device for regulating the heat imparted to the board by the heating coil.
 4. The instrument of claim 3 wherein the handle is equipped with water dispensing spray means.
 5. The instrument of claim 3 wherein the hair shaping board has a sleeve received at least partially therearound, the sleeve having an underside surface in contact with a surface of the board and an outer surface having a contour different than the contour of the surfaces of the board said outer surface comprising a hair contacting and shaping surface.
 6. The instrument of claim 3 wherein said instrument is equipped with fastening means for attaching the same to a human body.
 7. A hair shaping instrument comprising in combination: a hair shaping board having opposed convex and concave surfaces with longitudinal edges extending between the surfaces, the longitudinal edges formed as radius bends having a radius curvature less than the radius curvature of the convex and concave surfaces, a handle attached to said board means embedded in said board for heating same, means on said handle for regulating the heat of the board, and detachable sleeve means for receipt at least partially around said board, said sleeve means having an outside hair styling surface having a contour different than the contour of the concave and convex surfaces and being heated by contact with the concave and convex surfaces.
 8. The instrument of claim 7 wherein the handle is quickly detachable from the board, the board having an opening therein for receipt of a heated device attached to said handle.
 9. The instrument of claim 8 wherein thE heated device attached to said handle comprises a heated comb.
 10. A hair shaping instrument comprising a hair shaping board with a length and width and thickness, the length being the major dimension and the thickness being relatively thin, the board arcuately curved transversely having concave and convex opposed smooth surfaces with a handle projecting from the board lengthwise of the board the convex and concave surfaces providing hair contacting and shaping surfaces, longitudinal edges extending the length of the board forming second hair contacting and shaping surfaces, the edges having a radius of curvature from the said convex to the said concave surface substantially less than the curvature of said convex and concave surfaces whereby a thin hair shaping surface is provided by said edges. 